Survey and Evaluation

I completed the Final Survey and the Course Evaluation. Thanks.

Survey and Evaluation

I completed the Final Survey and the Course Evaluation. Thanks.

Internet Safety

READING:

First, and foremost, I certify that I have read all of the articles.

I read Mixed Signals from the June 2001 New Era for by #5 article.

Some of the most important things I learned from the readings was the idea that media and the internet can obviously be used for good or evil. Something I found extremely interesting was the idea that Satan uses media as a way to attack the family. I guess I had thought of this before, but mostly when I consider the evils of the media I think about the individual consequences. However, considering that the family is the most important institution of the church, it makes perfect sense that Satan would use every tool to destroy it. I also found it really interesting that the internet could be used for "idleness." Reading it from the prophet it makes perfect sense because the internet and media are all "false." I have real relationships with my out of town sisters, but other than that, everything I do on the internet does not promote a better relationship with my husband, a healthier body for myself, or anything else that "invites the Holy Ghost." Don't get me wrong, I think technology is a great way to stay connected to long distance friends, to save time, and to waste less energy, but it can so easily be abused.

I'm not sure if it will influence me much as a parent as much of what I read will be FAR outdated by the time I have tech-savy kids. However, as a teacher I will need to recognize the importance of not assigning projects that could potentially lead students to risky situations. For example, with my blog project, I would need to insure that they made their blog settings private and just added me (and possibly the rest of the class) as a viewer. I should also be careful when I have them search for pictures as that can always be a risky business. By using school computer (which I know have filters) to complete assignments I can ensure greater internet safety for my students.

I think after reading this, I have a personal goal to be on the internet less and spend more time (even if it's just 5 minutes) with my husband. So often I come home and just instantly get on the internet I lose little things like a hug as I walk in the door from my husband. Likewise, sometimes when my husband gets home I am busy doing something on the computer so I don't get up and greet him. I'm not sure how I can influence family and friends for good, but I know that there is a lot I can do for my own little family.

WATCHING:

http://ikeepsafe.org/assets/videos/?vid=fauxpaw_video

I am partial to this one as my husband is in the animation program. Even though he didn't contribute to this video, it is engaging and cute. This would be a good video to show kids right before doing internet research (for a research paper or something). I wouldn't show it to kids much older than 8th grade, but it works for younger kids.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/kidsonline/view/main.html

This video addresses the real issues, and the importance, of teaching with technology. I don't know if I entirely agree with this video entirely. I think that it is important to implement technology but NEVER at the expense of accomplishing your objective. Sometimes things are better accomplished without media and I think that if done correctly, even not using media can be effective. However, it is important that as teachers we know how to use these technologies and implement them when we can. Something else is that I will most definitely read EVERY SparksNotes for EVERY book I teach. This way I can create assignments that require them to actually read. The kid said, if there were 27 hours in the day, I would read Hamlet. But there is only 24. Well using media in a different way, you can get the students to read Hamlet, and still enjoy it. One great way to teach Shakespeare is to listen to it on tape. Not only does it make the reading go faster and makes it more interesting, but it also helps comprehension cause often vocal fluctuation can help with understanding what a sentence means. Hamlet on tape is only 4 hours. Not that I would recommend it, but that could be done in a single night. Reading Hamlet is easy, you just have to help them realize that. Same with a lot of other things they find "easier" online.

I don't think there is anything wrong with MySpace or Facebook. It can obviously be abused, but I think it can be a good thing. I don't see how it relates to teaching, except for being aware of how your students could be using those sites to torment each other. A big thing to combat this is to just create a class of mutual respect and a safe environment where the students generally start to care about each other.

I am more concerned about phones in my classroom.

http://ilearn.isafe.org/

I just thought this was a good idea and a good tool for helping students stay safe.

DOING:

I spoke with my mother-in-law who is in her late 40's and has 5 children. Her oldest is my husband (age 25), then she has a 23-year old, a 19-year-old, a 16-year-old, and a 13-year-old. She knew quite a bit about the internet, but their whole family in general is kinda sheltered. I shared some of the church talks I read with her (mostly because I felt that she would be most receptive to that) and she was fairly familiar with them. She already seemed to be implementing much of what was already in the articles such as using a filter and having the computer in a high traffic area. I'm not sure how helpful I was; she already knew a lot. Though the reception was positive and it is very relevant to her as she still has two young teenagers at home.

Content Specific Idea

My idea for the content specific technology integration project is to have the students create a character blog. The students will need to create the blog and then fulfill weekly assignments. Assignments include character introductions, journal entries in the voice of the character regarding things from the novel, pictures, videos, etc. This could be a project for any grade, but I see it functioning best for middle schoolers. The standard it fulfills is:

Standard 1 (Reading): Students will use vocabulary development and an understanding of
text elements and structures to comprehend literary and informational grade level text.

Objective 3 (Comprehension of Literary Text): Comprehend literature using elements of
narrative and poetic text.

b. Describe a character’s traits as revealed by the narrator (e.g., thoughts, words, speech patterns, and actions).

AND

Standard 2 (Writing): Students will write informational and literary text to reflect on and recreate experiences, report observations, and persuade others.

Objective 1 (Writing to Learn): Retell or summarize and make connections to clarify thinking through writing.

a. Retell significant events in sequence.
b. Summarize essential information from literary or informational text.
c. Connect text to self.

While any blog would work, for the purposes of simplicity I plan to use Blogger. I will turn in a student example of what the blog should look like and some examples of what it should contain.

Here is the link to the project:

http://katnisskraze.blogspot.com/

So as briefly described before, this would be an ongoing project for the entirety of reading a novel. The students could choose any character from the novel. Their page would need to include a picture of themselves (a real one, a drawn one, or one found on the internet that is applicable). The first post should be a general introduction to the character through the character's perspective. Because this is supposed to be the character's actual blog, it should ALL be in the character's perspective. From there, the students would have nightly or weekly assignments. Journals detailing thoughts and reactions to events in the novel, picture to show certain ideas or settings (again drawn or real), videos of reenactments of certain scenes from the novel. One idea that I included in my project was a playlist. What would this character listen to? It was fun to think about, and forced me to really think about the character. All of these assignments really build students' ability to connect and relate the literary idea of character. It would enhance their knowledge and interest in the novel as a whole. Plus it would serve as daily reading checks. Overall, I just really like this idea.

As for TPACK, much of that is explained above. A written journal would work much the same way, however, having a blog allows for much more range. For example the addition of pictures, videos, and playlists that would all help in better understanding and thinking like the character. Because it increases student understanding and interest, it fulfills the pedagogical ideals.

Ring Ring, It's Jing! (Extra Credit)

Gmail Chat and TokBox Screen Shots

Here are the screen shots of my synchronous and asynchronous videos. I definitely prefer synchronous because it is more like a conversation. However, I can see the value of asynchronous video. Particularly I can see myself creating a video message to my husband just to say hi, sorta like a surprise. It's like deciding whether to write a letter/email or to call someone on the phone. They both have the benefits and their down falls, it just depends on what you want to do.

I can see this being used in the classroom in a couple of different ways. With synchronous video, you could have community members and the like talk to your students. For example, if you were reading a book about WWII, it might be possible to get a survivor of the Holocaust to talk to your students over synchronous video chat. This would be a cheap alternative to inviting the person to come speak in person, but it doesn't eliminate the opportunity for students to ask the guest speaker questions, etc. You could also have the students use it when they are completing group projects. I think you could use asynchronous video in order to give your students messages (especially posted to the blog). You could also have the students use it to complete projects.

TPACK and TPK

While TPK and TPACK are very similar, they do have a couple of difference.

TPK stands for Technological Pedagogical Knowledge. The main concept of TPK is that teachers use technology to achieve specific pedagogical aims. For example, the teacher might have the students use a projector and powerpoint to assist them in giving presentations. The aim could be to make the project more engaging or as an alternative to notes. It is TPK because it could be applied to any content area. For example, a Science teacher or an English teacher could both use this technology for their pedagogical means.

TPACK stands for Technological Pedagogical And Content Knowledge. It is similar to TPK except that the teacher uses technology for specific content areas. For example, MyAcess is a computer program that is designed to help students with their writing. If a teacher assigned a paper to be completed on MyAccess in order to improve their writing, this would be an example of TPACK because the technology was made specifically for English teachers. Furthermore, it has pedagogical functions in the it teaches and helps improve writing.

The Wacky World Wide Web

I learned a lot this week by playing with the many tools available on the web. I learned how to play with Picnik, which is a fun site to mess around with your photos. Way cooler than iPhoto, that's for sure. Jing was another great tool I learned how to use. I can definitely see the benefit of it, especially when teaching students how to research and things. Posting an informational video on how to do internet research would be a great idea. I also learned how to better use a wiki. I have used wikis in my classes before, but actually getting on and having to play with embedding and the side bar was really helpful. I'm sure I'll use these skills in my actual classroom. Overall, I think that learning all the parts of the wiki was the hardest thing. That are so many parts and different ways you can do things. Plus I was self teaching, which always makes it take more time.

Here is the link to my website. I spent a ton of time on it so I hope it looks good.

http://mrshepworthenglish.pbworks.com/

Harry Potter's Hero's Journey

Here is my multimedia project. I also worked on it with Katherine and Kristina. Hope you enjoy it.

Storyboard for Multimedia Project

Here are my storyboard. I am atrocious at drawing, so I just described the scenes.

Idea for Multimedia Project

The idea for our project is to create a student example of a Hero's Journey project. The assignment would have the students choose a film that contains the steps of the Hero's Journey and have them put it together in a video. This assignment would meet Standard 1, Objective 3, Parts A-C in the Utah Core Curriculum for Eleventh Graders.

Objective 3 (Comprehension of Literary Text): Comprehend literature by analyzing the use of
literary elements across genres and cultures.
a. Compare plot structures in works of literature (e.g., plot within a plot, multiple points of
view, stream of consciousness).
b. Explore universal character traits across cultures in literature.
c. Compare recurring and universal themes in literary works.

It could also meet others, in other grades, but this one seemed to fit most.

My Technological History

My family was always very "tech savvy." I remember doing school projects on Encarta and playing awesome DOS games as a kid. My dad was always about having the newest and best technology. As soon as the internet was available, we had it. Because of this, I am very comfortable with a computer. I don't know how to do everything, but I pride myself on being willing to play with it until I figure it out. I have always used PCs, but I purchased a MacBook in the Fall of 2007 and fell in love with it.

I have had multiple jobs that required proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, so I am very comfortable with those. I am also becoming increasingly comfortable with Mac programs such as iMovie.

I am excited for this class and learning how to apply all these wonderful tools in my classroom!